How do I create
a cut-out ?
::
Cut-out images (such as people or trees)
have irregular outlines. The safest way
to achieve this is to create a mask or alpha
channel in the cut-out image.
::
Most popular 2D image manipulation programs
will have this capability.
::
If the image does not contain an alpha channel,
Piranesi assumes that the top left pixel
of the image is background colour and masks
out all other pixels of this colour.
How
do I use the MicroStation/J plug-in?
How to generate
EPIX files
::
Please note, this procedure applies to Microstation/J
(7.1) only. In Microstation 8 this is superseded
by Utilities > Image > Save.
1.
In Microstation create at least one view
with the following Rendering View Attributes:
Display: Smooth Shading
Graphics Acceleration: Yes (ticked)
2.
Using the Key In utility type: mdl command
QVGL_exportPiranesi [width]
::
and then follow the prompts to generate
the Epix file for the chosen view. "Width"
specifies the number of pixels required
in the x direction of the output image.
If omitted the Epix file is at the same
resolution as on the screen.
::
If you receive the error message "command
not found" after typing in
mdl command QVGL_exportPiranesi [width],
it is likely that your MS_GRAPHICSACCELERATOR
varable is set to quickvis instead of the
newer setting qvisgl. Some applications
such as TriForma reset this variable to
the older setting when they install
Using
Materials
::
In Piranesi, the material at any pixel in
the scene is stored as an integer value.
Piranesi "material locks" work
by selecting pixels with the same integer
material value. Optionally, each different
integer value can have a textual name associated
with it (like "polished brass"}
which is reported in the Info window when
you position your cursor over the pixel.
::
In Microstation, you can create a MAT file
which associates meaningful material names
with a particular combination(s} of level
and colour. The plug in will use this file
to determine the different materials and
their names when generating the Epix file.
::
If there is no defined MAT file, the plug
in will assign material values to pixels
based on their colour value (only}. The
materials will all have a default name "."
in the Epix file.
What
this means in practice is:
1.
You must at minimum make sensible use of
colour in your Microstation model in order
to create an Epix file that will work effectively
in Piranesi.
2.
If
you do not have a MAT file, materials will
be assigned in the Epix file on the basis
of colour only. Piranesi will work quite
happily on this basis, but you will not
have the reassurance of seeing meaningful
material names reflected in the Piranesi
user interface.
As an example of this, if you set level
symbology in Microstation so that level
1 equals colour 1 and so on, you will get
an Epix file in which materials correspond
to levels (but are un-named}.
3.
If you do have a MAT file, it will not only
control the assignment of materials to pixels
in the Epix file, but also your (meaningful}
material names will be transferred to Piranesi.
In general this is recommended practice.
Known limitations
1.
Epix export will not operate on Windows
95. Bentley's support is via QuickVisionGL
which requires Windows 98 or Windows NT.
2.
Shadow casting does not work with Epix output.
Bentley may improve this at a later release.
Plug-in
support
Plug-ins which generate EPIX files for use
within Piranesi, are available from the
below website http://www.informatix.co.uk/piranesi/product_information_supp.shtml#architecturaldesktop
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